Germany orders upgraded RAM

TUCSON, April 1 (UPI) -- An upgraded quick reaction, fire-and-forget missile for the German navy is to be manufactured by Raytheon, the company announced.

The weapon is the Block 2 Rolling Airframe Missile for defense against anti-ship cruise missiles, aircraft and surface threats. It features an autonomous dual-mode, passive radio frequency and infrared guidance design for engaging multiple threats simultaneously.

"This sale is the result of more than 35 years of unmatched testing achievements and capability improvements," said Taylor W. Lawrence, president of Raytheon Missile Systems. "It complements the $100 million RAM Block 2 production contracts with the U.S. Navy, signed in 2012, and follows our company's 11 critical Block 2 development test flights.

"RAM is on solid footing to begin government testing in May."

The contract is worth $155.6 million. Raytheon gave no details as to the number of RAM missiles it will produce for Germany or their delivery schedule.

RAM is a cooperative program between the U.S. and German governments. RAMSYS of Germany will share in production of the weapons.

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